About the Klan
The cause of the creation of the Ku Klux Klan- a white supremacist group founded in 1866- was the Union victory in the Civil War. Since the south was divided into five different military districts, Congress made each of them approve the 14th amendment. This allowed equal protection for former slaves and enacted Universal male suffrage. The main things the "KKK" wanted to do was to go against the leaders that wanted to reconstruct the south, by targeting African-American legislators elected during the 1867-1868 conventions. The "KKK" was mainly created to target African-Americans who became more involved in public life, as the South was in its reconstruction phase. Because of Klan attacks, about 10% of legislators that were elected became victims of their violence. Also the "KKK" would not only target black legislators, but white ones too. By the 1870's, the clan had branched out into every southern state. One of the most notorious zones of Klan activity was South Carolina. This is where five hundred masked men attacked the Union county jail and took 8 black prisoners. This took place in January 1871. Clan members often wore masks and clothes in the organization's signature long white robes and hoods, and carried out attacks at night and acting on their own but usually supported common goals radical reconstruction and restoring white supremacy in the south.
Effect of the Klan on Modern America
The Ku Klux Klan was created for white supremacy, but it faded towards the end of the nineteenth century. However, during the early 1900s, the Klan became more popular, peaking at around 4 million members in the 20s. Then, they declined again. However, they increased the amount of racism in the U.S, and caused more problems. They are still around, but not in as many numbers, but since the Civil Rights Movement, racism seems to be going up and down. Also, it has created other problems, and racist people (Cough Donald Trump Cough).